Dong Zhuo

Dong Zhuo (138-192 AD) was a Chinese government official and military general who served as Governor of Xi Liang until he took over the Imperial Court in 189 AD. A coalition led by Yuan Shao drove him out of the capital of Luo Yang and in 192 AD, he was betrayed and killed by Lu Bu.

Biography
The son of a nobleman, he took part in the subjugation of the barbarians in the newly-conquered Liang Province. While serving as Governor of Xi Liang, he first suppressed the Yellow Turban Rebellion there in 180 AD, but his brutality was unwelcome by the people of Liang, who went up in arms against his dictatorship. He crushed this revolt in 185 AD, and in 189 AD, seized power in the Imperial Court after massacring the Ten Eunuchs and taking the Emperor under his care. However, the nobleman Yuan Shao formed a regional alliance with several other warlords and built a massive army in the hundreds of thousands and marched on the capital of Luo Yang. Dong Zhuo sent Lu Bu to defend his lands, and Lu Bu made spirited defenses of Si Shui Gate and Hu Lao Gate. Having remained in power, Dong Zhuo had all the women and riches the land could offer. However, it was not long before the sword of justice would hang over his head. A concubine nodded, and a swordman rushed up to his throne and killed him.